Geranium plant named ‘Fissalm’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fissalm’, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by the combined features of salmon-pink semi-double flowers, large umbels, borne high above the foliage, relatively large, intense green foliage with strong zonation, and medium to tall, fairly round plant habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Fissalm’.

‘Fissalm’ is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium varieties with intense salmon flowercolor, in combination with medium-green foliage, and well-branched planthabit.

‘Fissalm’ originated from a hybridization made by the inventor AngelikaUtecht in a controlled breeding program in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain,in 1992.

The female parent was a hybrid seedling, no. 1943a (unpatented), havingintense salmon, semi-double flowers and medium-green foliage with strongzonation. The male parent of ‘Fissalm’ was the hybrid seedling no.1216-3 (unpatented), characterized by uniform salmon colored,single-type flowers, light to medium-green foliage with strong zonation,and vigorous growth.

‘Fissalm’ was selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross by Angelika Utecht in 1993 in a controlled environment inGaldar, Gran Canaria, Spain.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Fissalm’ was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in the fall of1993 in a controlled environment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, orunder the supervision of, Angelika Utecht. Horticultural examination ofplants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in May 1995 inHillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany, and continuing thereafter, hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor ‘Fissalm’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

‘Fissalm’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describeplants grown in Hillscheid, Germany, and in Langley, British Columbia,Canada, under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generallyused in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Fissalm’ in combination distinguish thisgeranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Salmon-pink, semi-double flowers;

2. Large, round flowers, and wide, somewhat flattened semi-sphericallyshaped umbel;

3. Medium-green, relatively large leaves with strong zonation;

4. Moderately vigorous growth, and medium to tall, bushy plant habit;and

5. Early to medium spring flowering response.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in compariosn to ‘Fissalm’ is the variety ‘Fisorange’, U.S.Plant Pat. Ser. No. 09/632,245.

In comparison to ‘Fisorange’, ‘Fissalm’ has a slightly more pink, lessorange general flower color, lighter margins of petals, larger flowersand umbels, wider leaves, and somewhat taller plant habit.

In comparison to the female seed parent, ‘Fissalm’ has larger umbels,more vigorous growth habit, and fewer inner petals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of ‘Fissalm’ with colors being as true as possible withan illustration of this type. The photograph shows a flowering pottedplant. The measurements were taken in Langley, British Columbia, Canadaon Jul. 20, 2000, 15 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings into 6 inchpots. The plants had not been pinched.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined indoors from plants developed in a green-house in May, 2000in Hillscheid, Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.—A hybrid of the species Pelargonium zonale. L'Hérit.

Commercial.—Zonal geranium, cv. ‘Fissalm’.

Inflorescence:

Umbel.—Shape: Somewhat flattened semi-sphere. Average diameter: 119 mm.Average depth: 60 mm. Peduncle length: 165 mm. Peduncle color: mainlylight green, RHS 143 A, weak infusion of anthocyanin, brownish, RHS 179B, may occur. Pedicel length: 28 mm. Pedicel color: Base light green,RHS 143 C, middle RHS 179 B, tip RHS 179 A. Number of flowers per umbel:about 30-40. Lastingness of the umbel: Approximately 16-18 days at 18°C.

Corolla.—Average diameter: 45 mm. Form: Semi-double. Shape: Round,slightly cup-shaped. Number of petals: 8-10. Size of petals: Upperpetals are 23-25 mm long, 17-19 mm wide, lower petals are 21-23 mm long,19-21 mm wide. Shape of petals: Obovate, attenuate base, upper endweakly rounded, margin entire. Color (general tonality from a distanceof three meters): salmon-pink with slightly lighter margin. Color ofupper petals: RHS 40 B, margin: from RHS 43 C to RHS 43 D, lowersurface: orange, RHS 41 B. Markings of upper petals: absent or very weakveins, slightly darker than the main flower color. Color of lowerpetals: RHS 40 B, margin from RHS 43 C to RHS 43 D, lower surface: RHS43 D, lightening toward the base of the petals, RHS 49 B, no markings.Number of petaloids: 1-3. Color of petaloids: Upper surface RHS 40 B,lower surface RHS 43 D. Color of sepals: Outer surface light green, RHS143 C, weak reddish-brown coloring near the base, RHS 179 B, innersurface light green, RHS 143 C, base weak reddish brown, RHS 179 B.Number of sepals: 5. Size of sepals: 10-11 mm in length, 4-5 mm indiameter for the largest upper sepal, 2-3 mm in diameter for the othersepals. Shape of sepals: Linear to lanceolate, acute tip, truncate base,surface with weak, short pubescence, margin entire.

Bud (just prior to petals unfolding).—Shape: Elliptical. Sepal Color(lower part): Light green, RHS 143 C, slightly reddish at the base, nearRHS 179 B. Petal Color (upper part): Salmon to white, marbled, from RHS43 C to RHS 49 B. Length: 15 mm. Width: 9 mm.

Reproductive organs.—Androecium: 5-7 fertile anthers, whitish filaments,orange pollen, RHS 33 A, plentiful pollen production. Gynoecium: 5-6lobed, salmon-orange stigma, whitish style, one pistil per flower.Fertility/seed set: Occasionally a few seeds are developed, oblongshape, 4-5 mm, brown, RHS 177 B.

Spring flow. response period.—In Hillscheid, Germany, 2000, plants hadon average 1.5 flowers opened 8 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings.

Outdoor flower production.—Medium number of flowers, the flower count in2000 in Hillscheid, Germany, indicated about 3-3.5 inflorescences perplant in mid May.

Durability.—Good stability of flower color, little fading toward dullpink, RHS 48 B, when maturing or wilting, relatively good rainresistance.

Lastingness of the individual bloom.—Approximately 8 days at 18° C.

Fragrance.—None.

Plant:

Foliage.—Form: Kidney-shaped, weakly rounded, very weak lobes. Base:Cordate with open gap between the lower ends of leaf. Margin:Bicrenated. Texture: Slightly velvety. Size of leaf: 89 mm wide, 50-55mm long. Color of upper surface: Intense green, approximately RHS 137 B.Color of lower surface: RHS 137 D. Color of zonation: Relatively strong,brown, about RHS 166 A. Petiole size: 45-55 mm in length, 3 mm indiameter. Petiole color: RHS 143 A.

General appearance and form.—Stem color: Green, RHS 143 A. Internodelength: 20-25 mm. Branching pattern: 6.4 branches. Plant size: 26 cm inheight, as measured from the soil to the surface of the foliage canopy,without the inflorescences; 35 cm wide.

Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility.—No observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named‘Fissalm’, as described and illustrated.